<p>Does anyone know how difficult it is to double major at Harvard in two fields that are not really related? I am interested in some type of engineering (chemical or bioe) and economics. Anyone know if this is possible in four years with the help of a handful of AP credits?</p>
<p>i dont believe you can double major</p>
<p>there are joint concentrations.</p>
<p>actually, it's often possible i think to have a double concentration in two related fields. Related fields are necessary because of first, the similar courses, and second, the senior thesis requirement. The thesis needs to incorporate both concentrations since you can only do one, and this is very difficult to do if the two fields are very different (say biology and english).</p>
<p>Senior thesis isn't a problem. You can just ******** the paper. What matters most is what you REALLY want to do. If you want to joint concen. in bio and english because you love those two majors, do it. Who cares about some senior thesis that no one will remember 2 days after they read it. But your major will stay with you for the rest of your life. That's what's important.</p>
<p>Um, the degree to which the concentrations are related (and the topic of your thesis) does matter, because, as I understand it, each concentration has to approve your plan of study and your thesis. If Biology doesn't think you can do English as a related field, they can refuse to let you do that joint concentration.</p>
<p>There is a plan being discussed of allowing secondary fields. These would not require an integrated senior thesis as do joint degrees, nor would the student have to fulfill the requirements of the secondary fields as in joint degrees.</p>
<p>Math and Physics works though, right?</p>
<p>well i plan on doing biology and economics...i can make it fit.</p>
<p>I remember when I went to Harvard they merely emphasized that you have to be able to connect your two fields well in what you submit whilst requesting the dual major. If you genuinely care about two fields very much, it shouldn't be hard to find similarities in both that relate to some underlying quality they both possess :)</p>
<p>martini:</p>
<p>Math & physics can currently be pursued as a joint concentration. Some physics courses in fact count for math credit and physics majors have to take some math courses. There is more info on the math and physics department websites about their requirements.</p>
<p>You cannot "double major" at Harvard. What you can do, with restrictions, is pursue a "joint concentration," in which you combine two fields of study into one integrated whole. In general, you have to pursue the honors track and combine the fields in a senior thesis (if both departments require a senior thesis).</p>
<p>Physics & Math are VERY easy to integrate... Biology and Economics will be very hard to integrate into one major.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure you have to do a joint thesis no matter what, even if neither field normally requires a thesis.</p>
<p>If you do early graduation at Harvard, do you save money?</p>